Fog signaling apparatus for railways.



PATENTED JAN. '24, 1905.

H. P. CLAYTON. FOG SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1904.

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PATENTED JAN. 24, 1905.

I 4 H. FIGLAYTON. 1 FOG SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS.

( APPLIOATION II LED JULY 28,1904.

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, UNITED STATES j Patented January 24, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

FOG SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,639, dated January24, 1905.

i Application filed July 23, 1904. Serial No. 218,583.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT FI'rzRoY CLAY- TON, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain and Ireland, residing at Craigmhor, Huddersfield, in thecounty of York, England, (whose post-office address isCraigmhonHuddersfield, in the county of York, England,) have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in FogSignaling Apparatus forRailways; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such' as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Thisinvention consists in improvements in fog signaling apparatus forrailways, and relates principally to improvements in-the apparatusdescribed in the prior specification of Letters Patent N o. 726, 867,dated May 5, 1903, granted to me.- In the apparatus according to saidprior specificationthe detonator gripping-jaws are rotatably mounted ina casing and are opcratively connected to alever by means of a rack andpinion, the arrangement being such that the jaws can be moved from themagazine to the rail with the detonator, and when the detonator has beenexploded a reverse movement of the lever will move the detonator in themagazine. If the semaphoresignal is moved to the safety position, thelever is moved to a position whereby if the detonator-jaws arein'position with the detonator on the rail they will be moved away fromthe rail to a position between the magazine and the rail.

The jaw mechanism and method of operation in the present invention are,generally speaking, the same as in the prior specification abovereferred to. In the present invention, however, means are provided forlocking the detonator gripping-jaws either when the last detonator hasbeen removed from the magazine or when the last but one (or more, as maybe desired) has been. removed. Again, in the present invention adetachable magazine is employed, which can be readily detached from themain casing of the machine when empty, so that it can be replaced by afull magazine, means being provided for automatically engaging andlocking or holding the magazine on the machine-casing, and thewithdrawal of said magazine acts to take the lock off the detonatorgripping-jaws, as here inafter explained.

The present invention also comprises a lampinvention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of part of the railway, showing the arrangementof the fog apparatus, as hereinafter described. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the lamp-signal. Fig. 3 is a front view of the lamp. Fig.4: is a side elevation, partly in section, of a fog signaling-machinewith the door of the detonatormagazine removed. Fig. Me an end elevationof Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 isa plan viewofthe machine with the cover removed and the detonator-magazine shown insection. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional plan of the detonator-magazine,showing the pivoted piece or cam hereinafter referred to. Fig. 8 is apart side view of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrow.

In Fig. 1, A indicates the fog signaling-machine, B being the jawmechanism and CC the rod-and-crank connections to the lever D foroperating the jaw mechanism. E is the ping-jaws. 1 is the pinion on therear end or vertical portion 5 of the upper jaw 2, which is pivotallymounted in the casing 1. 7 is the weighted lever, fulcrumed at 6 on theupper jaw; 8, a pin projecting from the rear end of lever 7; 9, a campivoted at 10 in the casing 1 and provided with a sloping surface 11. atits free end, which normally rests on the stop or pin 12 in casing 1. 26is the rack-engaging pinion 4:, which rack is connected to therodand-crank connections C U, as shown in Fig. 1.

The parts thus far described are identical with the corresponding partsin the prior specification of Letters Patent No. 726,867 granted to me.

13 is the detachable detonator-magazine, mounted on the shelf or bracket14, provided on the casing 1. The bottom of the magazine is providedwith a rearward flange 15, Figs. 5, 6, and 7, with which a spring-catch16, Figs. 5 and 6, is adapted to engage when the magazine is placed onthe shelf 14:, the spring 16 holding the magazine on the shelf.

17 (see Figs. 6 and 7) is a pin or projection on shelf 14, with which aslot or recess 18 in the bottom plate of the magazine engages, thusinsuring that the magazine is properly placed on the supporting-shelf 11 and preventing lateraldisplacement of the magazine.

19 is a lever pivoted at 20 in the magazinecasing, the end 21 of saidlever being adapted to engage in a recess or slot 22 in the under sideof the rack 26 for the purpose of locking the jaws against movement, ashereinafter described. The end 23 of lever 19 projects through thecasing 1 to behind the magazine- 13, and this end of the lever isprovided with a sloping surface 24, Figs. 5 and 6.

25 is a weight or cam which is pivotally and slidably mounted on the rod27 (or equivalent device) in magazine 13, said cam 25 being suitablyformed to accommodate itself to the shape and position of the detonatorsin the magazine. The lower part 25 of the cam 25 is formed as aprojection or finger and is provided with a sloping or cam surface 28.(See Figs. 7 and 8.)

29 is an opening in the back of the magazine, through which theprojection or finger 25 is adapted to be moved, as hereinafterdescribed.

The magazine 13 is provided with a preferably sliding door capable ofvertical movement in grooves in the inside walls of the magazine, andsaid door is provided with a pivoted flap projecting over the openingthrough which the detonators enter and leave the magazine, as in thecase of the apparatus described in the prior specification abovementioned.

Referring again to Figs. 1 to 3, the lamp E, as shown, is provided witha shaft or spindle 30, Fig. 2, which is rotatable in the bearing 31,attached to the supporting-standards 32 33. is a half crank or leverfixed on shaft 30 and connected at its outer end to the rod C, as shownin Fig. 1. 34 is a casing in which the lamp works, said casing beingprovided with an aperture or window 35. 36, 37, and 38, Fig. 1, are thelenses of bnllseyes of the lamp E, 36 in the arrangement shown beingprovided "with a red glass for giving the danger-signal and 37 38provided with green glasses for giving safety or clear signals. With theapparatus in the position shown in Fig.1 the lens 36 is opposite theopening or window in casing 3 1, thus showing that the detonator is onthe line and the signal at the danger position. X, Fig. 1, indicates theintermediate position to which the detonator-jaw mechanism B is moved bythe operation of lever D when the main-track signal is moved to thesafety position, the lever D being moved to the dotted-line position Y.Z indicates the position of lever 1) when the jaw mechanism is movedinto the magazine 13.

39, Figs. 4 and 6, is a pin or bolt working in holes through the lever 7and the upper jaw 2, said pin 39 being provided for the purpose ofpreventing the lever 7 being thrown too far up, whereby the mechanismmight be strained.

The operation of moving the detonator gripping-jaws to and from themagazine and rail and to the intermediate position X, Fig. 1, isidentically the same as described in the prior specification of LettersPatent No. 736,867, the lever D being moved to the fullline position,Fig. 1, for placing the detonator on the rail, to the intermediateposition Y for moving it to the off position X when the main-tracksignal is moved to the safety, and to the position Z for moving the jawsinto the magazine 13. When lever II) is moved to the position Y, themovement of the rod-and-crank connections 0 will, through the half crankor lever 30, turn the shaft 30 and lamp E so that the lens 36 will bemoved away from the opening 35 in the casing 34. and the lens 37 will bemoved into line with said opening, so that the green light orsafetysignal is visible. Again, when lever D is moved to the position X,placing the denotator-jaws in the magazine 13, the lamp will be turnedso that the lens 37 moves away from opening 35 and lens 36 comes in linewith said opening, thus showing another green light or clear signal. Thelamp E is arranged in a convenient position to be seen by theengine-driver. Now assuming that the last but one detonator has beenremoved from the magazine, the weight or cam 25 will be in the positionshown in Figs. t and 6, and when the detonator gripping jaws 2 and 3 aremoved into the magazine (by the operation of lever D to position Z,Fig. 1) the upper jaw 2 will strike the lower part (28",

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Fig. 8) of; finger 25; so that the cam 25 will the part 25 will act onthe sloping surface 24,

Figs. and 6, on the outer end of lever 19, so that the end 23 of saidlever is depressed and the end 21 raised, the latter into engagementwith the slot or recess 22 in the rack 26,

so that when the rack 26 has been moved a certain distance by themovement of lever D from the normal safety position Z, Fig. 1, theshoulder at the end of the recess 22 in the rack will engage the end 21of lever 19, so that further movement of 4 the rack 26, and consequentlyfurther movement of the grippingjaws and the operating connectionsthereto, will be prevented, and the fogman will thus be immediatelyinformed that the magazine 13 is empty and must be replaced by a fullone. The weight or cam operating on the end 23 of lever 19 retains thelock on the mechanism. The

1 fogman now goes to the machine with a full magazine, and bydisengaging spring 16 from the flange or plate 15 at the rear of themagazine the magazine can be lifted off its supporting-bracket 14.Theaction of lifting the magazine from the supportingbracket 14 willcause the flange15 on the magazine to strike the end of thelever19, soas to insure its end 21.

being disengaged from the recess 22 in the rack, thus taking the lockoff the jaw mechanism.- It will be observed that when the jaws werelocked against movement to placethe detonator on the rail by the end oflever 21 engaging recess 22 a live detonator is in'the jaws, (havingbeen taken from the magazine,) so that, if necessary, the fogman canwhen the lock is taken o'fl the mechanism, as just described, push thejaws,with the detonator, onto the railby hand without having to go backto the operating-lever to move the jaws into the magazine to get anotherdetonator. .Should the fogman in error move the jaw mechanism from theposition 40 back into the magazine, (instead of onto the rail,) he willstill have another detonator to place on the rail, as

. the jaws entering the magazine will grip the remaining detonatortherein, and when the empty magazine is removed, as above described, thejaws can be moved by hand, with the detonator, onto the rail, thedetonator that was held by the jaws when in the position 40, Figs. 1 and6, being knocked out of the jaws (in the known manner) as they passedinto the or plate 15,and so hold the magazine in position. When thedetonator gripping-jaws are locked against movement to place thedetonator on the rail, as above described, the position of the jaws anddetonator will be as indicated by the number 40, Figs. 1 and 6, and themovement of the jaws to this position will move the rod-and-cran'kconnection 0 O and turn the lamp E to a position in which neither of thelenses 36, 37, and 38 registers with the opening 35 in the casing 34,Figs. 1, 2, and 3,

or, if desired, it might be arranged to have another lens-in the lamp,which-would in said position of the detonator register with the opening35 in the casing 34 and give another danger-signal-'-for instance,showing a red or white light.

When the detonator-magazine is full, the cam or weight 25 rests on thetop detonator and acts .to steady the detonators in the magazine and toinsure their proper downward movement into position to be gripped by thejaws 2 3. The shelf or bracket 14, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, is provided withan inturned flange, 41, Fig. 5, forming a'recess with, which the frontedge of the bottom plate of the magazine 13 engages, so that the flange41 retains that side of the bottom bolt in position on the bracket 14,the magazine being tilted slightly forward when being placed inposition,'so that the front edge of the bottom plate will be under theflange 41.

The locking end 21 of lever 19 is weighted, so that under normalconditions when the cam 25 is not holding it in engagement with therecess 22' in the rack 26 said end 21 will drop out of the recess 22.Should, however, the end 21 of lever 19 from any cause remain up inengagement with recess 23 when the magazine 13 is removed from itssupport 14, as previously described, the end 23 of lever 19 will beengaged by the rearward flange 15 on the magazine, whereby the end 21will be disengaged from the recess in the rack.

- Although I have hereinbefore described the means for locking thedetonator gripping-j aws in the position adjacent to, but with thedetonator otf the rail, as consisting of a lever and have also describedand shown said lever as being pivoted or arranged inside themagazine-casing, yet I do not limit myself entirely to saidconstructions or arrangements, and the details of the mechanismgenerally may be varied without departing from the main features of theinvention.

can be rapidly, easily, and safely effected, as the empty magazine canbe replaced by one already filled without the fogman having to standover the machine adjacent to the line to fill the magazine.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a fog-signal, the combination, with a magazine for detonators, anda carrier for removing the detonators from the magazine and placing themon the rail; of automatic locking mechanism for the said carrier whichcomes into operation when a prearranged number of detonators have beenremoved from the said magazine.

2. In a fog-signal, the combination, with a magazine for detonators, anda carrier for removing the detonators from the magazine and placing themon the rail; of a weight normally supported by the detonators in themagazine, and a locking device for the said carrier which is operated bythe said weight when a prearranged number of detonators have beenremoved from under the said weight.

3. In a fog-signal, the combination, with a casing, and carriermechanism for the detonators arranged in the said casing; of a magazineformed separate from the casing, and guides and fastening devices forconnecting the magazine to the casing in a prearranged position withrespect to the said carrier mechanism.

4. In fog signaling apparatus for railways, the combination, with therotatable detonator gripping-jaws, and the means controlled by theoperator for moving said jaws to and from the magazine and rail, of alocking device operated by the movement of the jaws into the magazine soas to lock the jaws when moved to a position adjacent to the rail.

5. In a fog-signal, the combination, with a magazine for detonators, acarrier for removing the detonators from the magazine and placing themon the rail, and a visible signal operatively connected with the saidcarrier; of automatic locking mechanism for the said carrier and visiblesignal which comes into operation when a prearranged number ofdetonators have been removed from the said magazine.

6. In fog signaling apparatus for railways, the combination,with thedetonator grippingjaws, the rack operatively connected to said jaws andthe means operatively connected to the rack for moving said jaws to andfrom the magazine and rail, of a detachable detonatormagazine, alocking-lever pivoted on the machine-casing, a notch or recess in therack with which said lever is adapted to engage, and a pivoted part inthe magazine adapted to he operated by the movement of the jaws into themagazine so as to cause said lever to engage with the notch in the rack,substantially as and for the purposes described with reference to thedrawings annexed.

7 In fog signaling apparatus for railways, the combination,with thedetonator gl'l[')l)ll] fjaws, the rack operatively connected to saidjaws and the means operatively connected to the rack for moving saidjaws to and from the magazine and rail, of a detachabledetonatormagazine, a locking-lever pivoted on the machine-casing, anotch or recess in the rack with which said lever is adapted to engage,a pivoted part in the magazine adapted to be operated by the movement ofthe jaws into the magazine so as to cause said lever to engage with thenotch in the rack, and a lamp-signal operatively connected to theapparatus, substantially as and for the purposes described withreference to the drawings annexed.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HERBERT lllZllOY CLAYTON.

Witnesses:

KAYE RAMSDEN, FRANK PEARSON.

